What is ZAPP?

A program of Richard Hugo House, ZAPP is the Zine Archive Publishing Project: a zine library on Seattle's Capitol Hill. Since its founding in 1996, ZAPP's collection has grown from 1,500 to over 17,000 zines, comics, chapbooks and other small press periodicals, making it one of the largest zine collections in the world. This extensive collection of rare and unique publications is free and open to the public. ZAPP is a friendly community where writers, artists and free thinkers alike can share their ideas, experiences and common interests.

 
ZAPP's mission

The Zine Archive and Publishing Project exists to promote and preserve independently published media and art. In keeping with the mission of Richard Hugo House, ZAPP strives to “provide writers of all ages and backgrounds with the resources they need, connect audiences with the world of writing, foster the creation of new work and promote the literary arts as a vital part of our culture.” ZAPP educates people on the many facets of small press and independent media production.

 ZAPP is a self-publishing resource center that facilitates literary and artistic expression by providing creators with the resources and support to produce their own publications. By collecting and organizing zines, comics and other hard-to-classify small press periodicals, ZAPP seeks to maintain and validate publications outside the literary mainstream. ZAPP is dedicated to building a strong community of self-publishers and championing freedom of expression in Seattle and beyond.

 
What is a zine?

A zine (pronounced “zeen”) is any self-published creative endeavor conceived purely out of passion. Zines first began in the 1930s and '40s as “fanzines,” a term coined to describe small amateur magazines published by and for science fiction fans. Featuring idiosyncratic and often opinionated writing, zines today now cover every conceivable topic. A zine is a literary masterpiece of your choosing, an opportunity to develop that philosophical half-thought, to teach someone how to fix a bike, or to share a good laugh. Where there is a passion there is a zine for it: yours.

 
Submit your zine(s) to ZAPP!

Yes, ZAPP is still accepting donations during the hiatus. We happily accept all kinds, from comics and mail art to chapbooks and any other small press publication. If you publish a zine that you want to donate to our library, please let us know how you think it should be categorized. We will do our best to honor your designation. If you wish to donate a large collection of zines to ZAPP, please contact us in advance with a general description of the items you wish to donate.

For more information about donating items to ZAPP's library, please contact Nora Mukaihata at noramukaihata@hugohouse.org or (206) 322-7030.

 
What is happening with ZAPP?

Hugo House staff, ZAPP volunteers past and present and members of the community have been engaging in constructive discussion and planning suggestions for ZAPP's return in 2008. Thus far, the dialogue has been very positive and plans are moving forward quickly. Join the discussion online! What changes can we expect with the New Year? Accessibility. Staff and volunteers are now continuing to work on a searchable catalog of ZAPP's collection and are discussing how to make the space more visible and planning ways to continue outreach.

For the latest ZAPP news, click here.

The plans to reopen to the general public early next year are moving forward. Please help ZAPP by becoming a volunteer. We will need your help in 2008 for open hours and other current projects.

 
Where can I find zines in Seattle while ZAPP is closed?

  *        Seattle Public Library's Central Library (located at 1000 4th Ave.). The Central Library's Teen Center is home to the first and only circulating zine collection in the greater Seattle area. You can enjoy these zines in the library or take them home with you. The Teen Center is located on the 3rd level of the Central Library. For more information about the Central Library, please visit their Web site. For additional information about SPL's zine collection, contact the Teen Center: e-mail teencenter@spl.org or call (206) 615-1410.

 *         The Vera Project (located on the corner of Warren Ave. & Republican St. in the Seattle Center). There is a zine collection in Vera's gallery, which anyone may browse during their open hours (M-F, 2-5 p.m.) or during any Vera event. For additional information about the Vera Project, please visit their Web site.

  *         Left Bank Books (located on the corner of Pike & 1st in the Pike Place Market). A collectively owned and operated bookstore, Left Bank Books is the best place to buy local zines, as well as new and used radical books on a wide range of subjects. For more information about Left Bank Books, please visit their Web site.